Profile in Courage: Carrie Fisher
While many young adults may not recognize the name Carrie Fisher, they undoubtedly know the beautiful brunette from her role in the original Star Wars trilogy as Princess Leia or as the current spokesperson for Jenny Craig. But there’s much more to Fisher than acting or her best-selling books – Fisher is bipolar, something she readily admits to after initially denying her diagnosis at age 24.
Fisher spent the next four years on a roller coaster ride of drug and alcohol abuse, eventually ending up in alcohol rehabilitation at age 29. She emerged sober, but something was still not right. Ultimately, she was re-diagnosed with bipolar disorder (or in the vernacular of the day, as a manic depressive). It took awhile for her to totally accept her diagnosis and treatment, but finally she saw life was better with proper medication and treatment. She has gone on to detail her “adventures” in several best-selling books and is now an advocate for defeating the stigma associated with mental illness.
In a USA Today interview, Fisher said, “There is treatment and a variety of medications that can alleviate your symptoms if you are manic depressive or depressive,” said Fisher. “You can lead a normal life, whatever that is. I have gotten to the point where I can live a normal life, where my daughter can rely on me for predictable behavior, and that’s very important to me.”
Pasadena Villa is an adult residential treatment facility that caters to individuals with bipolar syndrome, dual diagnosis, and other challenging mental illnesses,. Our mental health programs strongly feature the Social Integration Model, which immerses clients into real life activities within the community. We also offer medication management and traditional and group therapies. Pasadena Villa ‘s mental health facilities include adult residential treatment centers in Orlando and Tennessee, as well as transitional living. Please call 877.845.5235 or contact us online to speak to someone today.